Image forming system including a first printer connected to a host computer and a second printer connected to the host computer via a switching device provided in the first printer

ABSTRACT

An image forming system includes a first image forming apparatus which can be connected to a host computer as an image data supplying source and also connected to a second image forming apparatus so that the host computer can be selectively and reliably connected to one of the first and second image forming apparatuses. The first image forming apparatus is connected to the host computer so as to print the image data provided from the host computer. The second image forming apparatus is operatively connectable to the host computer via the first image forming apparatus so as to print the image data sent from the host computer. A switching device is provided in the first image forming apparatus. The switching device switches a connection of the host computer so that one of the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus is operatively connected to the host computer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention generally relates to an image formingsystem and, more particularly, to an image forming system including aplurality of image forming apparatuses selectively connected to a hostcomputer.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Generally, an image forming apparatus such as a printer isconnected to a personal computer to output image data or information ona recording paper. Typically, the personal computers are connected to asingle printer so that the personal computer is connected to the printeron a one to one basis. A centronics interface is the most popular way toconnect a printer to a personal computer. Normally, the printer isconnected to the personal computer via a connector conforming to thecentronics standards.

[0005] There are many types of printers such as laser printers, inkjetprinters, etc. Additionally, there are also monochrome and color typesof printers. Demand for use of different types of printers with a singlepersonal computer has been increasing. A description will now be givenof a typical case in which a monochrome laser printer and a color inkjetprinter are available. If only the monochrome laser printer is connectedto a personal computer, the need for color printing cannot be satisfied.Thus, it is also desirable to have a color inkjet printer connected tothe personal computer. On the other hand, if only the color inkjetprinter is connected to the personal computer, although monochromeprinting can be performed as well as color printing by the color inkjetprinter, this does have its disadvantages. For example, monochromeprinting by a color inkjet printer has a disadvantage in that theprinting speed is much slower than that of the monochrome laser printer.Additionally, the image quality of monochrome printing performed by thecolor inkjet printer is much lower than that of the monochrome laserprinter. Accordingly, considering the fact that most printing operationsare require monochrome printing, it is preferable that the monochromeprinter also be connected to the personal computer.

[0006] In most cases, when two printers are commonly used with onepersonal computer, the user must change from one printer to the otherprinter by disconnecting the centronics connector of one printer andconnecting the centronics connector of the other printer. This changingoperation is very inconvenient for the user.

[0007] In order to eliminate such inconvenience, a switching device 101such as shown in FIG. 1 is commercially available. The switching device101 is provided with three connectors CN1, CN2 and CN3 so that apersonal computer 102 and two printers 103 and 104 are interconnectedvia the switching device 101. The switching device 101 is provided toselectively connect one of the printers 103 and 104 to the personalcomputer 102 by control of the personal computer 102. Accordingly, theswitching device 101 is intended to eliminate the disconnecting andconnecting operations of the connectors of the printers 103 and 104.However, the switching operation performed by the switching device 101lacks reliability at the present time. This may be caused by poorcompatibility between the personal computer 102 and printers 103 and104. More specifically, although the personal computer 102 and theprinters 103 and 104 have an interface conforming to the centronicsstandard, each of the interfaces may actually conform to various localstandards which are based on the centronics standard. This situationcreates a problem that a personal computer may not have compatibilitywith a particular printer. When the above-mentioned switching device 101is used, as viewed from the personal computer 102, it is notrecognizable as to what types of printers are connected to the switchingdevice 101.

[0008] In order to eliminate the above-mentioned problem with respect tocompatibility, the printers to be connected to the switching device 101must be limited to ones which are compatible with the personal computer102. Accordingly, the types of printers which can be connected to theswitching device 101 is limited. This results in poor reliability of theswitching function of the switching device 101. That is, since generallythe personal computer is not intended to be used with two printerdrivers, there may be a case in which the printer is not operativelyconnected to the personal computer. Additionally, even if the printers102 and 104 can be operatively connected to the personal computer 102via the switching device 101, the total length of the cables between thepersonal computer 102 and each of the printers 103 and 104 becomesexcessively long, resulting in an increased possibility of noiseintrusion. Further, the commercially available switching device 101 mayperform a switching operation which requires electrical power whichcannot be provided from the personal computer 102 via the connecter C1.That is, there may be a case in which the switching device 101 must bedirectly connected to an external power source.

[0009] In the above-mentioned case, the personal computer 102 describedas being connected to the printers 103 and 104. However, one or both ofthe printers 103 and 104 may be replaced by a multi-function imageprocessing apparatus such as a multi-function peripheral (MFP) devicewhich may include a facsimile function, a scanning function and aprinting function. This results in similar problems to those discussedabove.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is a general object of the present invention to provide animproved and useful image forming system in which the above-mentionedproblems are eliminated.

[0011] A more specific object of the present invention is to provide animage forming system including a first image forming apparatus which canbe connected to a host computer as an image data supplying source andalso to a second image forming apparatus so that the host computer canbe selectively and reliably connected to one of the first and secondimage forming apparatuses.

[0012] According to an aspect of the present invention, an image formingsystem includes as least one user device for providing image data to beprinted, the at least one user device selected from one of a group of ahost computer and a network. A first peripheral device is connected tothe at least one user device for receiving the image data from the atleast one user device and for processing the received image data. Asecond peripheral device is operatively connected to the at least oneuser device via the first peripheral device for processing image datasent from the at least one user device via the first peripheral device.A switching device is provided in and controlled by the first peripheraldevice. The switching device automatically switches the connection ofthe at least one user device so that one of the first peripheral deviceand the second peripheral device is operatively connected to the atleast one user device.

[0013] Other objects, features and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent from the following detailed description whenread in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are describedherein below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein;

[0015]FIG. 1 is an illustration of a conventional image forming systemusing a switching device;

[0016]FIG. 2 is an illustration of an image forming system according toa first embodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 3 is an illustration of an entire system according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an operation performed by a personalcomputer shown in FIG. 3;

[0019]FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an operation performed in a first printershown in FIG. 3;

[0020]FIG. 6 is an illustration of a dialog window displayed on apersonal computer provided in an image forming system according to asecond embodiment of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 7 is an illustration of an operational panel of a printerprovided in an image forming system according to a third embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0022] FIGS. 8A-8C are flowcharts of operations that can be performed bya printer provided in the image forming system according to embodimentsof the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an operation performed by a printerprovided in an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodimentof the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an operation performed by a printerprovided in an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodimentof the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 11 is an illustration of an image forming system according toa sixth embodiment of the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a multi-function peripheral deviceshown in FIG. 11;

[0027]FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram of a switching device shown in FIG.11;

[0028]FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an operation of a personal computershown in FIG. 11;

[0029]FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an operation of an MFP device shown inFIG. 11; and

[0030]FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram of a switch shown in FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] A description will now be given, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5,of a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a circuitdiagram of a printer interface switching device of a monochrome laserprinter included in an image forming system according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

[0032] The monochrome laser printer 1 shown in FIG. 2 is connected to acolor inkjet printer 2 and also connected to a personal computer 3. Thatis, the personal computer 3 and two printers 1 and 2 together constitutethe image forming system according to the present invention.Hereinafter, the monochrome laser printer 1 is referred to as a firstprinter, and the color inkjet printer 2 is referred to as a secondprinter.

[0033] In the image forming system according to the present invention,the personal computer 3 is connected to the second printer 2 via thefirst printer 1 as shown in FIG. 3. The first printer 1 is provided withthe printer interface switching device 4 having a switching function.The printer interface switching device 4 is basically an interfaceconforming to the centronics standard.

[0034] The printer interface switching device 4 is provided with a firstconnector 5 and a second connector 6. The first connector 5 is connectedto a centronics standard connector of the personal computer 3. Thesecond connector 6 is connected to a centronics standard connector ofthe second printer 2. Since the printer interface switching device 4 isincorporated into the first printer 1, the printer interface switchingdevice 4 is connected to an electrical circuit of the first printer 1 byan internal wiring system in the first printer 1. Accordingly, there isno printer connector needed for the connection of the first printer 1.

[0035] The first printer 1 comprises therein a controller 8 including acentral processing unit (CPU) 7. The connector 5 is connected to thecontroller 8 by a first printer signal transmission path 9. The firstprinter signal transmission path 9 comprises an eight-wire data bus 9 a,a four-wire reception control line 9 b and a five-wire transmissioncontrol line 9 c. Additionally, the connector 6 is connected to thecontroller 8 by a second printer signal transmission path 10. The secondprinter signal transmission path 10 comprises a data bus 10 a, areception control line 10 b and a transmission control line 10 c whichare branched from the data bus 9 a, the reception control line 9 b andthe transmission control line 9 c, respectively.

[0036] A switching unit 11 is provided to select one of the printersignal transmission paths 9 and 10 in response to a switching signalprovided by the controller 8. The switching unit 11 comprises buffers 12a, 12 b, 12 c, 13 b and 13 c and a switch 14. The buffers 12 a, 12 b and12 c can be set to either an active state or an inactive state, and areprovided on the data bus 9 a, the reception control line 9 b and thetransmission control line 9 c, respectively. The buffers 13 b and 13 ccan be set to either an active state or an inactive state, and areprovided on the reception control line 10 b and the transmission controlline 10 c, respectively. The switch 14 is controlled to be turned on oroff, and is provided on the data bus 10 a. The buffer 12 a is abidirectional buffer.

[0037] The buffer 12 a is connected to the controller 8 via a controlline 15 a so as to provide a switching signal which controls theoperational state of the buffer 12 a. The buffers 12 b and 13 b areconnected to the controller 8 via the control line 15 b so as to providea switching signal which selectively sets one of the buffers 12 b and 13b to the activated state. The buffers 12 c and 13 c are connected to thecontroller 8 via the control line 15 c so as to provide a switchingsignal which selectively sets one of the buffers 12 c and 13 c to theactivated state. The switch 14 is connected to the controller 8 via acontrol line 15 d so as to provide a switching signal which controls theoperational state of switch 14. Additionally, inverters 16 b and 16 care provided to the control lines 15 b and 15 c connected to the buffers13 b and 13 c, respectively, so as to invert the switching signals onthe control lines 15 b and 15 c.

[0038] A power source 17 is provided to operate the switching unit 11.Power is provided to the power source 17 from the controller 8 via apower source line 18, and also provided from the second printer 2 via aperipheral logic high (P.L.H.) line 19 of the second connector 6. TheP.L.H. line 19 is provided for checking whether power of the secondprinter 2 is turned on. Specifically, the centronics interface isprovided with a small current from the second printer 2. Since diodes 20and 21 are provided on the power source line 18 and the P.L.H. line 19,respectively, the two lines 18 and 19 are connected in a logic summingmanner.

[0039] When the first printer 1 is turned on, the switching signalsprovided to the control lines 15 a, 15 b and 15 c are initially set to ahigh level, and the switching signal provided to the control line 15 dis initially set to a low level. In this state, since the buffers 12 ato 12 c are in the active state, the switch 14 is turned off and thebuffers 13 b and 13 c are in the inactive state, and the first printersignal transmission path 9 is set to be effective.

[0040] Additionally, the personal computer 3 has a function forselectively designating one of the first printer 1 and the secondprinter 2. The personal computer 3 also has a switching command sendingfunction for selecting a printer driver based on the designatedselection. Specifically, for example, when a printing operation for anapplication of a word processor is performed, the first printer 1 can beautomatically designated by selecting the printer driver for the firstprinter 1. Alternatively, when a printing operation for an applicationof a word processor is performed, the second printer 2 can beautomatically designated by selecting the printer driver for the secondprinter 2. This function is performed by a CPU (not shown in the figure)of the personal computer 3.

[0041] The first printer 1 includes, in addition to the CPU 7, a ROMfixedly storing data such as programs and a RAM rewritably storingvarious information. The CPU 7 performs various processes and controlsin accordance with the program data stored in the ROM 7. For example, inthe present embodiment, a determining function and a path stateswitching function are provided. The determining function determines,when a switching command is sent by the switching command sendingfunction performs by personal computer 3 which is used for selecting aprinter driver in accordance with the operation for designating theprinter performed on the personal computer 3 side, whether the switchingcommand designates the first printer 1 or the second printer 2.Additionally, the path state switching function switches the state ofpaths by operating the switching unit 11 so as to effect one of thefirst printer signal reception path 9 and the second printer signalreception path 10 in accordance with the result of the determinationmade by the determining function.

[0042] In the above-mentioned structure in which two printers 1 and 2are connected to the personal computer 3, when all power is turned on,the controller 8 changes the switching signals on the control lines 15a, 15 b and 15 c to the high level. The switching signal on the controlline 15 d is at the low level. Accordingly, the first printer signaltransmission path 9 is selected, resulting in an equivalent state wherethe first printer 1 is connected to the personal computer 3. Thus, aprinting operation can be performed by the first printer 1 by sendingcharacter print data, other data or signals. In this case, monochromeprinting can be provided with a high quality image and at a high-speed.

[0043] A description will now be given, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4,of switching to the second printer 2 and switching back to the firstprinter 1. The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is a procedure performed by thepersonal computer 3. In order to switch to a printer to be used, theprinter driver corresponding to the printer to be used is selected onthe personal computer 3 when a printing operation is performed in theword processor application. Accordingly, it is determined first, in stepS1, whether or not an operation for selecting the printer is performed.If it is determined that the operation for selecting is performed, it isthen determined, in step S2, whether or not to switch from the firstprinter 1 to the second printer 2. If the determination of step S2 isnegative, it is determined, in step S4, whether or not to switch fromthe second printer 2 to the first printer 1. On the other hand, if thedetermination of step S2 is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step S3where the personal computer 3 sends to the first printer 1 a switchingcommand which indicates to switch from the first printer 1 to the secondprinter 2.

[0044] If it is determined, in step S4, that the switching is to be fromthe second printer 2 to the first printer 1, the routine proceeds tostep S5. In step S5, the personal computer 3 sends to the first printer1 a switching command which indicates to switch from the second printer2 to the first printer 1. The process of steps S3 to S5 is performed asa function of the switching command sending function performed in thepersonal computer 3.

[0045] According to the present embodiment, personal computer 3 executesa program which monitors the currently selected printer driver. If aprinter driver for driving printer 1 is selected, a command is sent toswitch to printer 1. On the other hand, if a printer driver for drivingprinter 2 is selected, a command is sent to switch to printer 2.

[0046] When a command is sent from the personal computer 3 to the firstprinter 1 via the connector 5, the command is received in the CPU 7 ofthe controller 8. It is then determined, in step S6 of FIG. 5, whetheror not the command is a switching command for the printer. If it isdetermined that the command is the switching command, the switching unit11 is operated, in step S7, so as to switch from the present printer tothe other printer. That is, when the switching command is input and ifthe command represents a command for switching from the first printer 1to the second printer 2, the switching signal provided to the switchingunit 11 is changed from the high level to the low level. Thereby, thesecond printer signal transmission path 10 is effected. This state isequivalent to the state where only the second printer 2 is connected tothe personal computer 3. Thus, a printing operation is performed by thesecond printer by sending character image data or other necessary datato the second printer 2 via the second printer signal transmission path10. In this case, a multi-color printing can be provided. When viewingfrom the first printer 1, the character image data passes through thefirst printer to the second printer 2.

[0047] On the other hand, when the switching command is input and if thecommand represents a command for switching from the second printer 2 tothe first printer 1, the switching signal provided to the switching unit11 is changed from the low level to the high level. Thereby, the firstprinter signal transmission path 9 is effected. This state is equivalentto the state where only the first printer 1 is connected to the personalcomputer 3. Thus, a printing operation is performed by the first printerby sending character image data or other necessary data to the firstprinter 1 via the first printer signal transmission path 9. Accordingly,the process of step S6 is performed as the function of the determiningfunction, and the process of step S7 is performed as the function of thepath state switching function.

[0048] As mentioned above, according to the present embodiment, thefirst printer 1 itself has the connector function and the switchingfunction so that the printers 1 and 2 are connected to a singlecentronics interface line extending from the personal computer 3. Thatis, a system can be provided in which a remote switching control isperformed by the personal computer 3. Especially, according to thepresent embodiment, since the system is constructed so that the firstprinter 1 is the center of the system by providing the switchingfunction to the interface unit of the first printer 2 which is one ofthe objects to switch, at least all of the command system of the firstprinter 1 is known. Thus, even if the command system of the secondprinter 2 is unknown, switching between the first printer 1 and thesecond printer 2 can be reliably performed. Additionally, since thefirst printer itself has the switching function in the interface unit,the connection of the first printer 1 can be achieved by internal wiringwithout a connector. Thus, a length of wire or cable can be shorter thanthat of a case in which a separate switching device 101 is used. Thisimproves antinoise characteristics. Further, since the first printer 1has the switching device therein, a power source for the switchingdevice can be the power source for the first printer 1. That is, aseparate power source is not needed as in the case of the conventionalswitching device 101.

[0049] A description will now be given, with reference to FIG. 6, of asecond embodiment of the present invention. An image forming systemaccording to the second embodiment is similar to that of theabove-mentioned first embodiment except for a dialog program beingprovided in the personal computer 3 as a means for designating one ofthe first printer 1 (internal printer) and the second printer 2(external printer). FIG. 6 shows a dialog window 32 for designating oneof the internal printer and the external printer. Before starting aprinting operation, the dialog window 32 is displayed, and a user canselect one of the internal printer and the external printer by moving apointer or cursor 33 by a mouse or similar cursor control means. Whenone of the internal printer and the external printer is selected in thedialog window 32, the switching command is sent from the personalcomputer 3 to the first printer 1 similar to the process of steps S3 andS5 shown in FIG. 4. Then, the process of steps S6 and S7 shown in FIG>5is performed in the first printer 1.

[0050] Thus, according to the present embodiment, the first printeritself has the connector function and the switching function so that thetwo printers 1 and 2 are connected to the personal computer 3 via asingle centronics interface line extending from the personal computer 3.That is, a system can be provided in which a remote switching control isperformed by the personal computer 3.

[0051] A description will now be given, with reference to FIGS. 7 and8A-8C, of other embodiments of the present invention. An image formingsystem according to these embodiments is similar to that of theabove-mentioned first embodiment except for an operational panel 34shown in FIG. 7 being provided on the first printer 1. The operationalpanel 34 has a printer designating part 35 for designating the printerto be used. Since the operational panel 34 is provided on the firstprinter 1, the printer designating part 35 is operated only when thesecond printer 2 is to be used. For example, the printer designatingpart 35 can be in the form of a key for inputting a command to switch tothe second printer. Thus, the first printer 1 is always monitoringwhether or not the printer designating part 35 is operated as indicatedby step S11 of the flowchart of FIG. 8A. When it is determined that theprinter designating part 35 is operated, the state of the switchingsignal is changed, in step S12, so that the second printer signaltransmission path 10 is effected. The process of step S12 is performedas the function of the path state switching function which switches thestate of the path so as to effect one of the first printer signaltransmission path 9 and the second printer signal transmission path 10in response to the operation of the printer designating part 35.

[0052] Of course, variations of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8A arepossible. As shown in FIG. 8B, when it is detected in step S11 that theprinter designating part 35 has been operated, a determination is madein step S11A whether the system is idle (e.g., whether the printer 1 iscurrently printing). The system waits until the system is idle (Yes instep S11A) and then switched to the printer 2 in step S12. In addition,as described with respect to FIG. 8A, if the printer 2 is currentlyselected, if it is determined in step S11 that a printer designatingoperation has again been performed (e.g., a user desires to switch backto the printer 1), the switching operation can proceed immediately tostep S12 for switching back to the printer 1. In the alternative, asshown in FIG. 8C, if it is determined in step S11 that the printerdesignating operation has again been performed (e.g., the user desiresto switch back to the printer 1), a determination is made in step S11Awhether the system is idle. If the system is not idle, (e.g., printer215 is currently printing), a warning can be issued in step S11B. Thewarning can be issued to the user by displaying a message indicationthat the printer 2 is currently printing and the printer 1 can not beselected. If the system is idle, the process proceeds to step S12 and aswitching command is issued.

[0053] The determination of whether the system is idle can be made bycontroller 8 by controlling bidirectional buffer 12 a so as to monitorthe data on the data bus 9 a. Thus, a determination can be mode by theprinter 1 that the system is busy, even if the printer 2 is thecurrently selected printer.

[0054] Thus, according to the present embodiment, the first printeritself has the connector function and the switching function so that thetwo printers 1 and 2 are connected to the personal computer 3 via asingle centronics interface line extending from the personal computer 3.That is, a system can be provided in which a switching control can beperformed by an operation of the printer designating part 35.

[0055] A description will now be given, with reference to FIG. 9, of afourth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment,the CPU 7 performs the processes corresponding to the determiningfunction and the path state switching functions as follows. Thedetermining function determines a time for switching the printer bymonitoring whether the state where no command data is provided continuesfor a predetermined time period while the second printer signaltransmission path 10 is effective. Additionally, the path stateswitching function switches the state of the path so as to effect thefirst printer signal transmission path 9 by operating the switching unit11 when it is determined by the determining function that it is time forswitching the printer. That is, the present embodiment automaticallyreturns the system to a state where the first printer 1 is usable whenthe system is set to a state where the second printer 2 is usable. Itshould be noted that a switching operation to the second printer 2 maybe performed in an appropriate manner such as disclosed in one of theaforementioned embodiments. Additionally, the present embodiment isprovided with a timer, which is started at a predetermined time andcounts a clock signal, so as to specify the predetermined time periodfor use of the determining function.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 9, in the present embodiment, the CPU 7 alwaysmonitors the state of the printer interface switching device 4 so as todetermine, in step S21, whether or not the second printer signaltransmission path 10 is effective. This determination can be performedbased on the present state of the switching signal. If the system is inthe state where the first printer 1 is usable, there is no need toswitch the printer. If the system is in the state where the secondprinter 2 is usable, it is determined, in step S22, whether or not thecommand data signal is sent from the personal computer 3 to the printerinterface switching device 4. This determination can be performed bymonitoring data on the data bus 10 a, which data is sent from thepersonal computer 3 while the bidirectional buffer 12 a on the data bus9 a is continuously controlled in an active state. If command data issent while the system is in the state where the second printer isusable, a switching operation is not performed since the second printer2 is being used. On the other hand, if the command data is not sent inthe state where the second printer 2 is usable, the operation of a timer(not shown) is started in step S23. Then, it is determined, in step S24,whether or not the command data is sent. If it is determined that thecommand data is sent from the personal computer 3 to the printerinterface switching circuit 4 during the counting operation of thetimer, the routine is ended so that no switching operation is performedand the system is maintained in the state where the second printer isusable. On the other hand, in step S25, it is determined whether or notthe counting operation of the timer has terminated. When no command datais sent from the personal computer 3 until the counting operation hasterminated, the state of the switching signal provided to the switchingunit 11 is changed, in step S26, from the low level to the high level.Thereby, the first printer signal transmission path 9 is effected, andthe system is set to the state which is equivalent to a state where onlythe first printer 1 is connected to the personal printer 3. Accordingly,the process of steps S21 to S25 is performed as a function of thedetermining function, and the process of step S26 is performed as afunction of the path state switching function.

[0057] According to the present embodiment, the system is automaticallyreturned to the state where the first printer 1 is usable if the secondprinter 2 is not used for the predetermined continuous time period evenif the system is set to the state where the second printer 2 is usable.That is, since the system according to the present embodiment isconstructed as the first printer 1 is the center of the system, thestate where the first printer 1 is usable is given priority. Thiscondition facilitates the control of the system, over the state wherethe second printer 2 is usable by automatically setting the firstprinter signal transmission path 9 to be effective.

[0058] A description will now be given, with reference to FIG. 10, of afifth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment,the CPU 7 performs the processes corresponding to the determiningfunction and the path state switching function as follows. Thedetermining function determines, when a command is sent from thepersonal computer 3, whether or not the command conform to the systemcommand. The path state switching function changes the state of the pathso as to effect the second printer signal transmission path 10 when itis determined that an unreadable command is sent from the personalcomputer 3 while the first printer signal transmission path 9 iseffective. on the other hand, the path state switching function changesthe state of the path so as to effect the first printer signaltransmission path 9 when it is determined that a readable command issent from the personal computer 3 while the second printer signaltransmission path 10 is effective. It should be noted that a FIFO bufferis provided in the RAM of the controller 8 so as to temporarily storeinformation provided by the personal computer 3.

[0059] In the present embodiment, when the command is sent from thepersonal computer 3 to the printer interface switching device 4, thecommand is taken by the CPU 7 of the controller 8 via the bidirectionalbuffer 12 a on the data bus 9 a. It is then determined, in step S31,whether or not the command is readable by the CPU 7. If the command isdesignated for the first printer 1, the command must be readable by theCPU 7. Thus, in this case, it is determined, in step S32, whether or notthe first printer signal transmission path 9 is effective. If it isdetermined, in step S31, that the command is not readable by the CPU 70,the routine proceeds to step S34 where it is determined whether thesecond printer signal transmission path 10 is effective. If it isdetermined that the second printer signal transmission path 10 iseffective, the routine proceeds to step S35. In step S35, the switchingsignal provided to the switching unit 11 is changed from the low levelto the high level so that the first printer signal transmission path 9becomes effective. On the other hand, if it is determined, in step S31,that the command from the personal computer 3 is not readable by the CPU7, this means that the command is not designated for the first printer1, and the routine proceeds to step S32. In step S32, it is determinedwhether or not the first printer signal transmission path 9 iseffective. If it is determined that the first printer signaltransmission path 9 is not effective, that is, the second printer signaltransmission path 10 is effective, the routine is ended. On the otherhand, if it is determined, in step S32, that the first printer signaltransmission path 9 is effective, the switching signal provided to theswitching unit 11 is changed from the high level to the low level sothat the second printer signal transmission path 10 becomes effective.

[0060] As mentioned above, in the present embodiment, a differentoperation is performed based on the determination of whether the commandsent from the personal computer 3 is readable or unreadable. When thecommand is readable, it is interpreted that the command is designatedfor the first printer 1, and the first printer signal transmission path9 is maintained effective or changed to be effective. On the other hand,if the command is unreadable, it is interpreted that the command isdesignated for the second printer, and the second printer signaltransmission path 10 is maintained effective or changed to be effective.It should be noted that the process of step S31 is performed as afunction of the determining function, and the process of steps S32 toS35 is performed as a function of the path state switching function.

[0061] It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the commandsent from the personal computer 3 is subjected to a reading operation bythe CPU 7, and simultaneously stored in the FIFO buffer. Then, if thecommand is not readable by the CPU 7, the command temporarily stored inthe FIFO buffer is sent to the second printer 2 through the secondprinter signal transmission path 10. If the FIFO buffer is not provided,the command which was received and interpreted as not readable is lost,and the command cannot be sent to the printer 2.

[0062] According to the present embodiment, since the switching functionfor the printers is provided in the interface unit of the first printer1, the first printer 1 is located in the center of the system. Thus,taking into consideration that the command system of the first printeris known, if the command is not readable, this does not assure that thecommand is designated for the printer 2 but it can be interpreted thatthe command is at least not designated for the printer 1 and theswitching operation is performed. Thus, the switching of the printerscan be appropriately performed by utilizing the command itself.

[0063] A description will now be given of a sixth embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 11 is an illustration of an entire image formingsystem according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. Inthis system, a multi-function peripheral (MFP) device 51 and a secondperipheral device 72 are used instead of the first printer 1 and thesecond printer 2 in the above-mentioned embodiments, respectively. TheMFP device 51 has an interface switching device 73 which includes afirst connector 74 and a second connector 75. A personal computer 71 isconnected to the MFP device 51 via the first connector 74. The secondperipheral device 72 is connected to the MFP device 51 via the secondconnector 75. A facsimile line 54 is connected to the MFP device 51.

[0064]FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the MFP device 51 shown in FIG. 11.The MFP device 51 comprises a scanner unit 52, a printer unit 53, anetwork control unit (NCU) 55, a modem 56, an image memory 57, a centralprocessing unit (CPU) 58, a memory 59, an operational unit 60, the firstconnector interface 74 and the second connector interface 75 which areinterconnected by a bus line 61.

[0065] The scanner unit 52 scans an original image and outputs imagedata corresponding to the original image. The printer unit 53 outputs animage on a recording sheet according to image data supplied thereto. TheNCU 55 corresponds to a facsimile communication unit which transmits andreceives data through the facsimile line 54. The image memory 57 storesthe image data generated by the scanner unit 52 or image data receivedby the NCU 55. The operational unit 10 is provided for inputting variousinstructions to control the MFP device 51. Thus, the MFP device 51 has ascanner function, a printer function and a facsimile function.

[0066] The scanner unit 52 is a sheet scanner which scans images oforiginal documents fed by an automatic document feeder (ADF) (not shownin the figure) by a contact-type optoelectric conversion element fixedlyprovided at a scanning position. Thus the original image is read andelectrical signals corresponding to the original images are generated.The printer unit 53 prints on a recording sheet based on digital imagedata. The printer unit 53 comprises, for example, a laser printer whichincludes a monochrome laser writing system and an electrophtographicdevice. The memory 59 comprises a ROM for fixedly storing data such asprograms and a RAM for rewritably storing various types of information.The CPU 8 performs various processes and controls in accordance with theprograms stored in the ROM.

[0067] As mentioned above, the MFP device 51 together with the personalcomputer 71 and the second peripheral device 72 are components of animage forming system in which the personal computer 71 can be connectedto one of the MFP device 51 and the second peripheral device 72. In thepresent embodiment, the second peripheral device 72 is a color inkjetprinter which has a printing capability different from that of theprinter unit 53 of the MFP device 51. Hereinafter, the second peripheraldevice 72 may be referred to as a second printer 72.

[0068] The personal computer 71 is connected to the second printer 72via the MFP 1. Thus, the MFP 1 is provided with the interface switchingdevice 73 which has a switching function. Basically, the interfaceswitching device 73 conforms to the centronics standard.

[0069]FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram of the switching device 73. In FIG.13, parts that are the same as the parts shown in FIG. 2 are given thesame reference numerals.

[0070] The switching device 73 is provided with a first connectorinterface 74 and a second connector interface 75. The first connectorinterface 74 is connected to a centronics standard connector of thepersonal computer 71. The second connector interface 75 is connected toa centronics standard connector (not shown in the figure) of the secondprinter 72. Since the switching device 73 is incorporated into the MFPdevice 51, the switching device 73 is connected to the electricalcircuit of the MFP device 73 by an internal wiring system in the MFPdevice 51. Accordingly, there is no printer connector needed for theconnection of the MFP device 51.

[0071] The MFP device 1 comprises a controller 76 including the centralprocessing unit (CPU) 58. The first connector interface 74 is connectedto the controller 76 by a first printer signal transmission path 9. Thefirst printer signal transmission path 9 comprises an eight-wire databus 9 a, a four-wire reception control line 9 b and a five-wiretransmission control line 9 c. Additionally, the second connectorinterface 75 is connected to the controller 76 by a second printersignal transmission path 10. The second printer signal transmission path10 comprises a data bus 10 a, a reception control line 10 b and atransmission control line 10 c which are branched from the data bus 9 a,the reception control line 9 b and the transmission control line 9 c,respectively.

[0072] A switching unit 11 is provided so as to effect one of theprinter signal transmission paths 9 and 10 in response to a switchingsignal provided by the controller 76. The switching unit 11 comprisesbuffers 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 13 b and 13 c and a switch 14. The buffers 12a, 12 b and 12 c can be set to either an active state or inactive state,and are provided on the data bus 9 a, the reception control line 9 b andthe transmission control line 9 c, respectively. The buffers 13 b and 13c can be set to either an active state or inactive state, and areprovided on the reception control line 10 b and the transmission controlline 10 c, respectively. The switch 14 is controlled to be turned on oroff, and is provided on the data bus 10 a. The buffer 12 a is abidirectional buffer.

[0073] The buffer 12 a is connected to the controller 76 via a controlline 15 a so as to provide a switching signal which controls theoperational state of the buffer 12 a. The buffers 12 b and 13 b areconnected to the controller 76 via the control line 15 b so as toprovide a switching signal which selectively sets one of the buffers 12b and 13 b to the activated state. The buffers 12 c and 13 c areconnected to the controller 76 via the control line 15 c so as toprovide a switching signal which selectively sets one of the buffers 12c and 13 c to the activated state. The switch 14 is connected to thecontroller 76 via a control line 15 d so as to provide a switchingsignal which controls the operational state of switch 14. Additionally,inverters 16 b and 16 c are provided to the control lines 15 b and 15 cconnected to the buffers 13 b and 13 c, respectively, so as to invertthe switching signals on the control lines 15 b and 15 c.

[0074] A power source 17 is provided to operate the switching unit 11.Power is provided to the power source 17 from the controller 76 via apower source line 18, and also provided from the second printer 2 via aperipheral logic high (P.L.H.) line 19 of the second connector interface75. The P.L.H. line 19 is provided for checking whether power of thesecond printer 2 is turned on. Specifically, the centronics interface isprovided with a small current from the second printer 2. Since diodes 20and 21 are provided on the power source line 18 and the P.L.H. line 19,respectively, the two lines 18 and 19 are connected in a logic summingmanner.

[0075] When the MFP device 51 is turned on, the switching signalsprovided to the control lines 15 a, 15 b and 15 c are initially set to ahigh level, and the switching signal provided to the control line 15 dis initially set to a low level. In this state, since the buffers 12 ato 12 c are in the active state, the switch 14 is turned off and thebuffers 13 b and 13 c are in the inactive state, the first printersignal transmission path 9 is set to be effective.

[0076] Additionally, the personal computer 71 has a function forselectively designating one of the MFP device 51 and the second printer72. The personal computer 71 also has a switching command sendingfunction for selecting a printer driver based on the selectivedesignation. Specifically, for example, when a printing operation for anapplication of a word processor is performed, the MFP device 51 can beautomatically designated by selecting the printer driver for the MFPdevice 51. Alternatively, when a printing operation for an applicationof a word processor is performed, the second printer 72 can beautomatically designated by selecting the printer driver for the secondprinter 72. This function is performed by a CPU (not shown in thefigure) of the personal computer 71.

[0077] In the MFP device 51, the CPU 58 performs various processes andcontrols in accordance with the program data stored in the ROM of thememory 59. In the present embodiment, a determining function, a pathstate switching function and a concurrent printing function areprovided. The determining function determines, whether the switchingcommand designates the MFP device 51 or the second printer 72, when theswitching command is sent by the switching command sending function soas to select the printer driver in accordance with the operation fordesignating the printer by the personal computer 71. Additionally, thepath state switching function switches the state of paths by operatingthe switching unit 11 so as to effect one of the first printer signalreception path 9 and the second printer signal reception path 10 inaccordance with the determination result of the determining function.Further, the concurrent printing function functions to provide imagedata generated by the scanner unit 52 of the MFP device 51 to both theprinter unit 53 and the second printer 72 so as to concurrently printthe image data by both the MFP device 51 and the second printer 72.

[0078] In the above-mentioned structure in which the MFP device 51 andthe second printer 72 are connected to the personal computer 71, whenall power is turned on, the controller 76 changes the switching signalson the control lines 15 a, 15 b and 15 c to the high level. Theswitching signal on the control line 15 d is at the low level.Accordingly, the first printer signal transmission path 9 becomeseffective, resulting in a state where only the MFP device 51 isconnected to the personal computer 71. Thus, a printing operation can beperformed by the MFP device 51 by sending character print data, otherdata or signals. In this case, monochrome printing can be provided witha high quality image at a high-speed. Additionally, the image datagenerated by the scanner unit 52 of the MFP device 51 can be sent to thepersonal computer 71 so as to store the image data in the personalcomputer 71.

[0079] A description will now be given, with reference to flowchartsshown in FIGS. 14 and 15, of a switching operation from the MFP device51 to the second printer 2 and switching from the second printer 72 tothe MFP device 51. In order to switch to a printer for a printingoperation, the printer driver corresponding to the printer to be used isselected by the personal computer 71 when a printing operation isperformed in the word processor application. Accordingly, it isdetermined first, in step S51, whether or not an operation for selectingthe printer is performed. If it is determined that the operation forselecting is performed, it is then determined, in step S52, whether ornot the switching is from the MFP device 51 to the second printer 72. Ifthe determination of step S52 is negative, it is determined, in stepS54, whether or not the switching is from the second printer 72 to theMFP device 51. On the other hand, if the determination of step S52 isaffirmative, the routine proceeds to step S53 where the personalcomputer 71 sends to the MFP device 51 a switching command for switchingfrom the MFP device 51 to the second printer 72.

[0080] If it is determined, in step S54, that the switching is from thesecond printer 72 to the MFP device 51, the routine proceeds to stepS55. In step S55, the personal computer 71 sends to the MFP device 51 aswitching command for switching from the second printer 72 to the MFPdevice 51. The process of steps S53 to S55 is performed as a function ofthe switching command sending function in the personal computer 71.

[0081] When a command is sent from the personal computer 71 to the MFPdevice 51 via the connector interface 74, the command is received in theCPU 58 of the controller 76. It is then determined, in step S56 of FIG.15, whether or not the command is the switching command for the printer.If it is determined that the command is the switching command, theswitching unit 11 is operated, in step S57, so as to switch from the MFPdevice 51 to the second printer 72. That is, when the switching commandis input and if the command represents the switching from the MFP device51 to the second printer 72, the switching signal provided to theswitching unit 11 is changed from the high level to the low level.Thereby, the second printer signal transmission path 10 is effected.This state is equivalent to the state where only the second printer 2 isconnected to the personal computer 71. Thus, a printing operation isperformed by the second printer by sending character image data or othernecessary data to the second printer 72 via the second printer signaltransmission path 10. In this case, a multi-color printing can beprovided. When viewing from the MFP device 51, the character image datagoes through to the second printer 72.

[0082] On the other hand, when the switching command is input and if thecommand represents the switching from the second printer 72 to the MFPdevice 51, the switching signal provided to the switching unit 11 ischanged from the low level to the high level. Thereby, the first printersignal transmission path 9 is effected. This state is equivalent to thestate where only the MFP device 51 is connected to the personal computer71. Thus, a printing operation is performed by the MFP device 51 bysending character image data or other necessary data to the MFP device51 via the first printer signal transmission path 9. Accordingly, theprocess of step S56 is performed as the function of the determiningfunction, and the process of step S57 is performed as a function of thepath state switching function.

[0083] As mentioned above, according to the present embodiment, the MFPdevice 51 itself has the connector function and the switching functionso that the MFP device 51 and the second printer 72 are connected to asingle centronics interface line extending from the personal computer71. That is, a system can be provided in which a remote switchingcontrol is performed by the personal computer 71. Especially, accordingto the present embodiment, since the system is constructed so that theMFP device 51 is the center of the system by providing the switchingfunction to the interface unit of the MFP device 51 which is one ofobjects to be switched, at least all of the command system of the MFPdevice 51 is known. Thus, even if the command system of the secondprinter 72 is unknown, switching between the MFP device 51 and thesecond printer 72 can be reliably performed. Additionally, as the MFPdevice 51 itself has the switching function in the interface unit, theconnection of the MFP device 51 can be achieved by internal wiringwithout a connector. Thus, a length of wire or cable can be shorter thanthat of a case in which a separate switching device is used. Thisimproves antinoise characteristics. Further, since the MFP device 51 hasthe switching device therein, a power source for the switching devicecan be the power source for the MFP device 51. That is, a separate powersource is not needed as in the case of the separate switching device.

[0084] A description will now be given of an operation for printing theimage data generated by the scanner unit 52 of the MFP device 51. Sincethe MFP device 51 has the scanner unit 52 and the printer unit 53, theimage data generated by scanning an original document by the scannerunit 52 can be printed by the printer unit 53. This means that the MFPdevice 51 includes a copying function. The MFP device according to thepresent embodiment has an ability to print the image data generated bythe scanner unit 52 by both the printer unit 53 of the MFP device 51 andthe second printer 72 at the same time. This function is performed bythe concurrent printing function under the control of the CPU 58. When acopy mode is designated by the operational unit 60 in a printing modewhere a plurality of copies are printed, concurrent printing isperformed. That is, the controller 76 changes the switching signals onthe control lines 15 a and 15 d to the high level so that the data buses9 a and 10 a are effective to connect the controller 76 to the secondconnector interface 75. Thus, the MFP device 51 is connected to thesecond printer 72. In this state, when the scanner unit 52 scans anoriginal image and generates image data, the image data is sent to theprinter unit within the MFP device 51, and is simultaneously sent to thesecond printer 72 via the data busses 9 a and 10 a and the secondconnector interface 75. Accordingly, both the printer unit 53 and thesecond printer 72 print the image data at the same time. This achieves acircumstances in which the personal computer 71 is connected to twoprinters in parallel. Thus, since the printing operation of a pluralityof copies can be distributed to the two printers, that is, the printerunit 53 and the second printer 72, the printing operation for aplurality of copies can be performed at a high speed. The presentembodiment takes advantage of the fact that the personal computer 71 issubstantially connected to the two printers.

[0085] It should be noted that, as for the determining function and thepath state switching function, the present invention is not limited tothat specifically disclosed, and other appropriate determining and pathstate switching functions or units may be used.

[0086] A description will now be given of a seventh embodiment of thepresent invention. The structure of the seventh embodiment is basicallythe same with that of the sixth embodiment, and a description will begiven with reference to FIG. 13. In the present embodiment, the CPU 58of the MFP device 51 performs a memory control function in addition tothe determining function and the path state switching function. When theimage data sent from the personal computer 71 is printed by the secondprinter 72, the memory control function operates the image memory 57 asa printer buffer by connecting between the connector interface 74 andthe MFP device 51.

[0087] In the present embodiment, when a print mode is designated inwhich the second printer 72 is used to print image data generated by thepersonal computer 71, the second printer signal transmission path 10 isnot effective but the first printer signal transmission path 9 is turnedon so as to be effective and provide the image data from the personalcomputer 71 to the image memory 57 of the MFP device 51 via theconnector interface 74 and the bidirectional buffer 12 a. The image datais then temporarily stored in the image buffer 57. The image data isthen sent to the second printer 72 via the data buses 9 a and 10 a byeffecting the data buses 9 a and 10 a between the controller 76 and theconnector interface 75. The data busses 9 a and 10 a are effected bychanging the switching signals on the control lines 15 a and 15 d to thehigh level. Accordingly, the image memory 57, which is originallyprovided for facsimile transmission, can be used as a buffer forprinting operation. This eliminates the need for using a buffer forprinting operations in the personal computer 71. Thus, there is no timeloss caused by the buffer in the personal computer 71. That is, thistakes advantage of the fact that the personal computer 71 is connectedto the MFP device 51 which has the image memory therein.

[0088] A description will now be given of an eighth embodiment of thepresent invention. A structure of the present embodiment is basicallythe same as that of the seventh embodiment, and a description will begiven with reference to FIG. 13.

[0089] In this embodiment, a scanner is used as the second peripheraldevice. That is, the scanner is used instead of the second printer 72.Hereinafter, the scanner is referred to as a second scanner 72. As forthe second scanner 72, for example, a color scanner or a high-resolutionscanner may be used. In the present embodiment, the CPU 58 of the MFPdevice 51 performs functions as an operation control function inaddition to the determining function and the path state switchingfunction. The operation control function is performed when the imagedata generated by the second scanner 72 is sent to the personal computer71. Specifically, the second connector interface 75 and MFP device 51are connected, and the image memory 57 is used as a date buffer so thatthe image data generated by the second scanner 72 is temporarily storedin the image memory 57.

[0090] In the present embodiment, when a print mode is designated inwhich image data generated by the second scanner 72 is sent to thepersonal computer 71, the data buses 10 a and 9 a are turned on so as tobe effective and the second scanner 72 is operatively connected to theMFP device 51 by changing the switching signals on the control lines 15a and 15 d to the high level. Thus, the image data generated by thesecond scanner can be temporarily stored in the image memory 57 in theMFP device 51 as a data buffer. That is, the image memory 57 serves as adata buffer similar to the manner when image data received by the NCU 55for facsimile communication is stored or image data generated by thescanner unit 52 is stored. Thereafter, the first print signaltransmission path 9 is turned on so as to be effective and tooperatively connect the MFP device 51 to the personal computer 71. Thus,the image data in the image memory 57 can be sent to the personalcomputer 71 via the data bus 9 a. Thereby, the image data generated bythe second scanner 72 can be sent to the personal computer 71 via theimage memory 57.

[0091] Accordingly, in the present embodiment, a high-speed readingoperation can be performed by the second scanner 72 since a delay in theoperation speed of the application can be eliminated as compared to acase in which the second scanner is directly connected to the personalcomputer 71. Additionally, when the second scanner 72 is directlyconnected to the personal computer 71, image data generated by thesecond scanner 72 may be reduced so as to avoid a lack of capacity of amemory provided in the personal computer 71. The reduction of image datais generally performed, for example, by intermittently eliminating imagedata generated by the scanner. Thus, in such a case, the image qualityis deteriorated even when a high-resolution scanner is used as thesecond scanner 72. In this respect, according to the present invention,since the image memory 57 is used as a data buffer which is originallyfor facsimile communication and has inherently a large capacity, thereis no need to reduce the amount of image data. Thus, the image qualitycan be improved as compared to the case where the scanner is directlyconnected to the personal computer 71. That is, the image readingcapability of the scanner 72 is not deteriorated due to lack of memorycapacity. This embodiment takes advantage of the fact that the secondscanner 72 is connected to the personal computer 71 via the MFP device51 having the image memory 57 therein.

[0092] A description will now be given of a ninth embodiment of thepresent invention. The basic structure and operation of the ninthembodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and adescription will be given, with reference to FIG. 2, of structures andoperations different from that of the first embodiment.

[0093] In this embodiment, when the second printer is used, an ESCcommand is sent by the personal computer 3. The ESC command comprises aprinter selection code in accordance with an escape sequence. Thecontroller 8 receives the ESC command via the first printer signaltransmission path, and the CPU 7 recognizes the reception of thecommand. Thus, the CPU 7 changes the switching signals on the controllines 15 a to 15 c to the low level, and changes the switching commandon the control line 15 d to the high level. Thereby, the buffers 13 band 13 c are set to the active state, and the switch 14 is closed so asto be turned on, resulting in the second printer signal transmissionpath being effective. Accordingly, the system is set in a stateequivalent to a state where only the second printer 2 is connected tothe personal computer 3 via the connectors 5 and 6. Thus, a printingoperation can be performed by the second printer 2 by sending from thepersonal computer 3 image data, character data or other data andsignals. In this embodiment, multi-color printing can be performed.

[0094] On the other hand, in order to return the system to the statewhere the first printer 1 is usable, the personal computer 3 sends aprinter initialization signal (/INIT) to the printer interface switchingdevice 4 via the first connector 5. The printer initialization signal(/INIT) is a signal conforming to the centronics standard, and thus thissignal is readable by the CPU 7. When the printer initialization signal(/INIT) is received, the CPU 7 operates the switching unit 11 to bereturned to the initial state after the power is turned on. Thus, thefirst printer signal transmission path 9 is turned on so as to beeffective instead of the second printer signal transmission path 10. Insuch a switching operation, it is better to use a command readable bythe second printer 2. However, the command system of the second printeris unknown as far as the first printer 1 is concerned. Thus, the commandsystem of the second printer 2 does not always conform to the commandsystem of the first printer 1. Rather, in many cases, the commandsystems of the first and second printers are different from each other.In such a case, if a command conforming to the command system of thesecond printer is sent to the first printer 1, the command cannot beread by the CPU 7 of the first printer 1, and thus the switchingoperation from the second printer 2 to the first printer 1 cannot beperformed. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the switchingoperation is performed by using a command which is positively readableby the CPU 7 of the first printer 1. Therefore, control of the firstprinter 1 and the second printer 2 can be arbitrarily performed by thepersonal computer 3.

[0095] It is possible that a situation could occur in which the firstprinter 1 is turned off and the second printer and the personal computer3 are turned on. Even in such a situation, it is desirable that thesecond printer 2 can be usable by the personal computer 3. Since theprinter interface switching device 4 is incorporated into the firstprinter 1 and the power of the first printer is turned off, theswitching unit 11 cannot be operated to switch the connection to thesecond printer 2 when the power is provided to the switching unit 11only from the first printer 1. However, in the present embodiment, thepower is provided to the switching unit 11 from the second printer viathe connector 6 and the switching unit 11 can be operated when thesecond printer 2 is turned on. Additionally, in this embodiment, thesecond printer signal transmission path 10 is effective even when thecontroller 8 of the first printer 1 does not operate due to the firstprinter 1 being turned off since the low level of the switching signalprovided to the switching unit 11 is set to a ground level which isprovided when the first printer 1 is turned off. Accordingly, the secondprinter 2 can be operatively connected to the personal computer evenwhen the power of the first printer 1 is turned off.

[0096] A description will now be given, with reference to FIG. 16, of astructure and an operation of the switch 14 of FIG. 2. The switch 14 maybe a mechanical switch. However, it is preferable that the switch 14 isan analog IC switch 22 constructed by an integrated circuit. In thiscase, in order to protect the analog switch 22 from an external noise,protective diodes 23 a to 23 d are interposed between the input andoutput signal terminals and the power source as shown in FIG. 16.However, if only the protective diodes 23 a to 23 d are provided, astate of the power source of the switch 14 is equivalent to a statewhere the power source is grounded. Thus, it is possible that a reversecurrent could flow into the analog IC switch 22 via the signal line.This is not preferable since the reverse current may destroy the analogIC switch 22 which comprises an integrated circuit. Accordingly, in thepresent embodiment, in order to prevent the reverse current from flowinginto the analog IC switch 22, a diode 24 (correspond to the diode 20 inFIG. 2) is provided on the power source line 18 in a direction oppositeto the direction of the diodes 23 a to 23 d. Thus, even if the firstprinter 1 is turned off and the personal computer 3 is turned on, thereverse current does not flow into the analog IC switch 22 from thesignal line. Thus, the analog IC switch 22 is positively protected.

[0097] The present invention is not limited to the specificallydisclosed embodiments, and variations and modifications may be madewithout departing from the scope of the present invention. For example,although the above-described embodiments refer to a host computer asproviding the data, any other type of user device as a network, forexample, can provide the data. In addition, although the embodimentsrefer to the use of printers or multi-functional peripherals, othertypes of peripheral devices such as facsimile and scanner type devicemay be used.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image forming system comprising: at least oneuser device for providing image data to be printed, said at least oneuser device selected from one of a group of a host computer and network;a first peripheral device connected to said at least one user device forreceiving the image data from said at least one user device and forprocessing the received image data; a second peripheral deviceoperatively connected to said at least one user device via said firstperipheral device for processing image data sent from said at least oneuser device via said first peripheral device; and a switching deviceprovided in and controlled by said first peripheral apparatus, saidswitching device automatically switching the connection of said at leastone user device so that one of said first peripheral device and saidsecond peripheral device is operatively connected to said at least oneuser device.
 2. The image forming system as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid first and second peripheral devices comprise image formingapparatuses and further comprising: printer drivers for each of saidfirst and second image forming apparatuses, and wherein said user deviceprovides a switching command to said first image forming apparatus whenthe printer driver for one of said first and second image formingapparatuses is selected so that said switching command designates theone of said first and second image forming apparatus which correspondsto the printer driver selected, and said first image forming apparatusincludes determining means for determining which of said first imageforming apparatus and said second image forming apparatus is designatedby said switching command.
 3. The image forming system as claimed inclaim 2, wherein said first image forming apparatus includes a firstconnector and a second connector, said first connector adapted to beconnected to said at least one user device and said second connectoradapted to be connected to said second image forming apparatus, and saidswitching device including a first signal transmission path and a secondsignal transmission path, said first signal transmission path connectingbetween said first connector and said first image forming apparatus,said second signal transmission path connecting between said firstconnector and said second connector, said first image forming apparatusfurther including path state switching means for switching a state ofsaid first and second signal transmission paths so that one of saidfirst and second signal transmission paths is selected in accordancewith said switching command.
 4. The image forming system as claimed inclaim 2, wherein said switching command is generated in accordance witha designating operation for one of said first and second image formingapparatuses, said designating operation being performed by use of adialog window displayed by said user device.
 5. The image forming systemas claimed in claim 1, wherein said first peripheral device includes anoperational unit operated to designate one of said first and secondperipheral devices so that said switching device switches the connectionof said user device to one of said first and second peripheral devicesin accordance with an operation performed on said operational unit. 6.The image forming system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said firstperipheral device generates a switching signal provided to saidswitching device in accordance with the operation performed on saidoperational unit so that said switching signal designates one of saidfirst and second peripheral devices.
 7. The image forming system asclaimed in claim 6, wherein said first peripheral device includes afirst connector and a second connector, said first connector adapted tobe connected to said user device and said second connector adapted to beconnected to said second peripheral device, and said switching deviceincludes a first signal transmission path and a second signaltransmission path, said first signal transmission path connectingbetween said first connector and said first peripheral device, saidsecond signal transmission path connecting between said first connectorand said second connector, said first peripheral device furthercomprising a path state switch for switching a state of said first andsecond signal transmission paths so that one of said first and secondsignal transmission paths is selected in accordance with said switchingsignal.
 8. The image forming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidfirst peripheral device includes determining means for determiningwhether a state in which no command is provided from said user devicecontinues for a predetermined time period while said second imageperipheral device is operatively connected to said user device so that aconnection of said user device is switched from said second peripheraldevice to said first peripheral device when said determining meansdetermines that the state in which no command is provided from said userdevice continues for a predetermined time period.
 9. The image formingsystem as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first peripheral deviceincludes a first connector and a second connector, said first connectoradapted to be connected to said user device and said second connectoradapted to be connected to said second peripheral device, and saidswitching device includes a first signal transmission path and a secondsignal transmission path, said first signal transmission path connectingbetween said first connector and said first peripheral device, saidsecond signal transmission path connecting between said first connectorand said second connector, said switching device further including pathstate switching means for switching a state of said first and secondsignal transmission paths so that said first signal transmission path isselected when said determining means determines that the state in whichno command is provided from said user device continues for apredetermined time period.
 10. The image forming system as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said first peripheral device includes determining meansfor determining whether a command provided from said user device isreadable so that said second peripheral device is operatively connectedto said user device when the command is unreadable and said firstperipheral device is operatively connected to said user device when thecommand is readable, said first peripheral device further including abuffer memory temporarily storing the command provided from said userdevice.
 11. The image forming system as claimed in claim 10, whereinsaid first peripheral device includes a first connector and a secondconnector, said first connector adapted to be connected to said userdevice and said second connector adapted to be connected to said secondperipheral device, and said switching device comprising a first signaltransmission path and a second signal transmission path, said firstsignal transmission path connecting between said first connector andsaid first peripheral device, said second signal transmission pathconnecting between said first connector and said second connector, saidfirst peripheral device further including path state switching means forswitching a state of the first and second signal transmission paths sothat said second signal transmission path is selected when the commandis unreadable and said first signal transmission path is selected whenthe command is readable.
 12. The image forming system as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said first peripheral device includes a scanner unitgenerating image data and a printer unit for printing the image data,said first peripheral device further comprising concurrent printingmeans for printing the image data generated by said scanner unit by bothsaid printer unit and said second peripheral device at the same time byoperatively connecting said first peripheral device to said secondperipheral device when a plurality of copies are requested to be printedbased on the image data generated by said scanner unit.
 13. The imageforming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first peripheraldevice includes an image memory storing image data to be printed, saidfirst peripheral device being operatively connected to said user devicewhen said second peripheral device processes image data provided fromsaid user device so that the image data to be processed by said secondperipheral device is temporarily stored in said image memory as a buffermemory.
 14. The image forming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidfirst peripheral device includes an image memory storing image data andsaid second peripheral device includes a scanner unit generating imagedata, said first peripheral device being operatively connected to saidsecond peripheral device before the image data generated by said scannerunit is transferred to said user device so that image data to betransferred to said user device is temporarily stored in said imagememory as a buffer memory.
 15. A peripheral interface switch provided ina first peripheral device for connection to at least one user deviceproviding image data, a second peripheral device capable of beingconnected to said first peripheral device via said peripheral interfaceswitch, said printer interface switch comprising: a first connector forconnection to said at least one user device; a second connector forconnection to said second peripheral device; a first signal transmissionpath connecting said first connector and said first peripheral device; asecond signal transmission path connecting said first connector and saidsecond connector; a path state switch for selectively switching a stateof said first and second signal transmission paths so that said firstsignal transmission path is selected when power to said first peripheraldevice is activated, said second signal transmission path being selectedwhen a peripheral selection code is provided from said at least one userdevice, said first signal transmission path also being selected when asignal capable of being read by said first peripheral device is providedfrom said user device.
 16. The printer interface switch as claimed inclaim 15, wherein said first and second signal transmission pathsinclude a data bus for transmitting data from said user device, and saidpath state switch includes an analog switch having an input terminal andan output terminal, a protective diode being provided between a powersource and each of said input and output terminals, a reverse currentpreventing element being provided between said analog switch and saidpower source.
 17. The printer interface switch as claimed in claim 15,wherein power is provided from both said first peripheral device andsaid second peripheral device via said second connector in a logicsumming mode, a switching signal being provided to said path stateswitch so as to switch a state of said first and second signaltransmission paths, a state of the switching signal provided to changesaid second signal transmission path to be effective being identical toa state of the switching signal provided to said path state switch whensaid first peripheral device is turned off.
 18. A peripheral device forconnecting to a user device providing image data, said peripheral devicefor connection to a second peripheral device via a peripheral interfaceswitch provided in the peripheral device, said peripheral interfaceswitch comprising: a first connector for connection to said at least oneuser device; a second connector for connection to said second peripheraldevice; a first signal transmission path connecting between said firstconnector and said peripheral device; a second signal transmission pathconnecting between said first connector and said second connector; apath state switch for selectively switching a state of said first andsecond signal transmission paths so that said first signal transmissionpath is selected when power to said peripheral device is activated, saidsecond signal transmission path being selected when a selection code isprovided from said at least one user device, said first signaltransmission path also being selected when a signal capable of beingread by said peripheral device is provided from said at least one userdevice.
 19. A peripheral device for processing image data for connectionto at least one user device providing the image data, said peripheraldevice also for connection to a second peripheral device for processingthe image data received from said at least one user device via saidperipheral device, said peripheral device comprising: a controller fordetermining which of said peripheral device and said second peripheraldevice has been designated by a switching command provided from said atleast one user device; and a switching device controlled by saidperipheral device for switching a connection of said at least one userdevice in accordance with a determination of said controller so that adesignated one of said peripheral device and said second peripheraldevice is operatively connected to said at least one user device.
 20. Aperipheral device for processing image data for connection to at leastone user device providing image data, said peripheral device also forconnection to a second peripheral device for processing the image datareceived from said at least one user device via said peripheral device,said peripheral device comprising: an operational unit designating oneof said peripheral device and said second peripheral device; and aswitching device controlled by said peripheral device for switching aconnection of said at least one user device in accordance with anoperation applied to said operational unit so that a designated one ofsaid peripheral device and said second peripheral device is operativelyconnected to said at least one user device.
 21. The image forming systemcomprising: at least one user device for transmitting image data over adata bus; a first peripheral device connected to said data bus forreceiving the image data from said at least one user device and forprocessing the received image data; a second peripheral deviceoperatively connected to said at least one user device via said firstperipheral device and said data bus for processing the image data sentfrom said at least one user device via said first peripheral device andsaid data bus; a switching device controllable by said first peripheraldevice, said switching device switching the connection of said at leastone user device so that data being transmitted via said data bus fromsaid at least one user device is selectively directed to one of saidfirst peripheral device and said second peripheral device; and acontroller for monitoring the data bus for selectively controlling saidswitching device based on the data being received from said at least oneuser device over the data bus.
 22. A peripheral interface switchcontrolled by a first peripheral device and connected to a data busproviding image data from at least one user device, a second peripheraldevice being connected to said first peripheral device via saidperipheral interface switch, said peripheral interface switchcomprising: a first connector for connection to said data bus; a secondconnector for connection to said second peripheral device; a firstsignal transmission path connecting said first connector and said firstperipheral device; a second signal transmission path connecting saidfirst connector and said second connector; a path state switch forselectively switching a state of said first and second signaltransmission paths; and a controller for monitoring the data bus and forcontrolling said path state switch accordingly, said controllercontrolling said path state switch so that said first signaltransmission path is selected when power to said first peripheral deviceis activated, and said second signal transmission path is selected whendata not capable of being read by said first peripheral device isprovided from said at least one user device via said data bus, saidfirst signal transmission path being again selected when a signalcapable of being read by said first peripheral device is provided fromsaid user device via said data bus.
 23. A peripheral device forconnecting via a data bus to a user device providing image data, saidperipheral device connecting to a second peripheral device via aperipheral interface switch provided in the first peripheral device,said peripheral interface switch comprising: a first connector forconnection to said data bus; a second connector for connection to saidsecond peripheral device; a first signal transmission path connectingsaid first connector and said first peripheral device; a second signaltransmission path connecting said first connector and said secondconnector; a path state switch for selectively switching a state of saidfirst and second signal transmission paths; and a controller formonitoring the data bus and for controlling said path state switchaccordingly, said controller controlling said path state switch so thatsaid first signal transmission path is selected when power to said firstperipheral device is activated, and said second signal transmission pathis selected when data not capable of being read by said first peripheraldevice is provided from said at least one user device via said data bus,said first signal transmission path being again selected when a signalcapable of being read by said first peripheral device is provided fromsaid user device via said data bus.
 24. An image forming system forselectively providing image data from at least one user device to one ofa first printer and a second printer via a data bus, the first printercomprising: a first connector for connection to the data bus forreceiving data from the at least one user device; a second connector forconnecting to the second printer; a bidirectional buffer connected withthe data bus via said first connector for controlling a direction offlow of data; a switching unit connected with the data bus via saidfirst connector for selectively connecting the data bus with the secondconnector; and a controller for monitoring the data transmitted via thedata bus from the at least one user device, the controller generatingcontrol signals for controlling the bidirectional buffer and saidswitching unit in response to the data, wherein when the data beingmonitored on the data bus by the controller cannot be read by saidcontroller, said switching unit is controlled so that the data on thedata bus is directed toward the second printer via the second connectorfor printing and when the data being monitored on the data bus by thecontroller can be read by said controller, said bidirectional buffer iscontrolled so that the data on the data bus is read by the controllerfor printing by the first printer.
 25. A peripheral interface providedin a first peripheral device for receiving image data from at least oneuser device via a data bus and for selectively providing the data fromthe data bus to the first peripheral device or a second peripheraldevice for processing, said peripheral interface comprising: a firstconnector for connection to the data bus for receiving data from the atleast one user device; a second connector for connecting to the secondperipheral device; a bidirectional buffer connected with the data busvia said first connector for controlling a direction of flow of data; aswitching unit connected with the data bus via said first connector forselectively connecting the data bus with the second connector; and acontroller for monitoring the data transmitted via the data bus from theat least one user device, the controller generating control signals forcontrolling the bidirectional buffers and said switching unit inresponse to the data, wherein when the data being monitored on the databus by the controller cannot be read by said controller, said switchingunit is controlled so that the data on the data bus is directed towardthe second peripheral device via the second connector for printing andwhen the data being monitored on the data bus by the controller can beread by said controller, said bidirectional buffer is controlled so thatthe data on the data bus is read by the controller for printing by theperipheral device.
 26. A peripheral device for receiving image data fromat least one user device via a data bus for selectively providing thedata from the data bus to the first peripheral device or a secondperipheral device for processing, said peripheral device comprising: afirst connector for connection to the data bus for receiving data fromthe at least one user device; a second connector for connecting to thesecond peripheral device; a bidirectional buffer connected with the databus via said first connector for controlling a direction of flow ofdata; a switching unit connected with the data bus via said firstconnector for selectively connecting the data bus with the secondconnector; a controller for monitoring the data transmitted via the databus from the at least one user device, the controller generating controlsignals for controlling the bidirectional buffer and said switching unitin response to the data; and a processor for processing received imagedata in response to a signal from said controller, said processorprinting the received image data on a printing medium, wherein when thedata being monitored on the data bus by the controller cannot be read bysaid controller, said switching unit is controlled so that the data onthe data bus is directed toward the second peripheral device via thesecond connector and when the data being monitored on the data bus bythe controller can be read by said controller, said bidirectional bufferis controlled so that the data on the data bus is read by thecontroller.
 27. An image data controlling method comprising the stepsof: providing via a data bus image data to be processed by one of afirst peripheral device and a second peripheral device; receiving at thefirst peripheral device via the data bus the image data to be processed;and controlling via the first peripheral device a switch connection sothat one of said first peripheral device and a second peripheral deviceis operatively connected to said at least one user device based on theimage data received via the data bus.
 28. A method of controlling aperipheral interface switch provided in a first peripheral deviceconnected to a data bus providing image data, a second peripheral devicebeing connected to the first peripheral device via the peripheralinterface switch, the peripheral interface switch being connected to thedata bus, the peripheral interface switch being connected to the secondperipheral device, said method comprising the steps of: providing viathe data bus data to be processed by one of the first peripheral deviceand the second peripheral device; and selectively controlling via thefirst peripheral device the peripheral interface switch so that theimage data on the data bus is directed to the first peripheral devicefor processing when power to the first peripheral device is activated,and so that the image data is directed to the second peripheral devicefor processing when image data not capable of being read by the firstperipheral device is on the data bus.
 29. A method of controlling afirst peripheral device for connecting to a data bus, said firstperipheral device connecting to a second peripheral device via aperipheral interface switch provided in the first peripheral device,said method comprising the steps of: providing via the data bus data tobe processed by one of the first peripheral device and the secondperipheral device; and selectively controlling the peripheral interfaceswitch via the first peripheral device so that the image data on thedata bus is directed to the second peripheral device for processing whena selection code is provided on the data bus and the image data isdirected to the first peripheral device for processing when a signalcapable of being read by the first peripheral device is provided on thedata bus.
 30. A method of controlling a first peripheral device forconnection to an image data bus for processing image data, the firstperipheral device connecting to a second peripheral device forprocessing the image data, said method comprising the steps of:monitoring the data bus via the first peripheral device; determiningwhich of said first peripheral device and said second peripheral devicehas been designated by a switching command provided on said data bus;and automatically switching a connection of the data bus in accordancewith a determination by said determining step so that a designated oneof the first peripheral device and the second peripheral device isoperatively connected to the data bus.
 31. A method of controlling aperipheral device for processing image data, the peripheral deviceconnecting to a second peripheral device for processing the image data,said method comprising the steps of: monitoring data transmitted overthe data bus; designating one of the peripheral device and the secondperipheral device to receive the data on the data bus for processingbased on the data transmitted over the data bus; and automaticallyswitching a connection of the data bus in accordance with the devicedesignated in said designating step so that a designated one of theperipheral device and the second peripheral device is operativelyconnected to the data bus.
 32. A method of controlling an image formingsystem, said method comprising the steps of: transmitting image dataover a data bus; receiving the image data at a first peripheral deviceused for processing the received image data; monitoring via the firstperipheral device the image data transmitted over the data bus; andcontrolling a direction in which image data transmitted over the databus is directed so that data being transmitted over the data bus isdirected to one of the first peripheral device and the second peripheraldevice based on the data being received over the data bus.
 33. An imageforming system comprising: image data providing means for providingimage data to be printed; first peripheral means for receiving the imagedata from said image data providing means for processing the receivedimage data; second peripheral means operatively connected to said firstperipheral means for processing image data sent from said image dataproviding means via said first peripheral means; and switching meansprovided in and controlled by said first peripheral means forautomatically switching a connection so that one of said firstperipheral means and said second peripheral means is operativelyconnected to said image data providing means to process the data.
 34. Animage forming system as recited in claim 33, further comprisingmonitoring means provided in said first peripheral means for monitoringdata from said data providing means and controls said switching meansaccordingly.
 35. An image forming system as recited in claim 34, whereinsaid monitoring means monitors printer driver commands from said dataproviding means and controls said switching means accordingly.
 36. Animage forming system as recited in claim 35, wherein said monitoringmeans determines whether said first peripheral means can read saidprinter driver commands and based on the determination controls saidswitching means accordingly.
 37. An image forming system as recited inclaim 36, wherein when said monitoring means determines that said firstperipheral means can not read said printer driver commands, said secondperipheral means is operatively connected to said data providing meansto process the data and when said monitoring means determines that saidfirst peripheral means can read said printer driver commands, said firstperipheral means is operatively connected to said data providing meansto process the data.
 38. An image forming system as recited in claim 33,wherein said data providing means monitors data being provided to saidfirst peripheral means and provides switching commands to said switchingmeans accordingly.
 39. An image forming system as recited in claim 38,wherein said data providing means monitors a printer driver selected bya user operating said data providing means.
 40. An image forming systemas recited in claim 39, wherein when a printer driver for operating saidfirst peripheral means is selected, said image data providing meansprovides information to said switching means so that said firstperipheral means is operatively connected to said image data providingmeans for processing the data.
 41. A host computer for connection to afirst peripheral device, said first peripheral device including a switchfor selectively directing information received from said host computerto a second peripheral device or to said first peripheral device forprocessing, said host computer comprising: a memory for storinginformation, said memory storing operating programs for performingoperations using said host computer and at least first and secondperipheral driver programs which when selected control said first andsecond peripheral devices, respectively; and a processor for processinginformation and for executing the operating programs stored in saidmemory, said processor executing an operating program for monitoringwhich of the first and second peripheral driver programs is selected,wherein when the first peripheral driver program is selected, saidprocessor sends data to the first peripheral device controlling theswitch so that information received from said host computer is directedto the first peripheral device for processing and when said secondperipheral driver program is selected, said processor sends data to thefirst peripheral device controlling the switch so that informationreceived from said host computer is directed to the second peripheraldevice for processing.
 42. A program for execution on a host computer,the host computer connecting to a first peripheral device, said firstperipheral device including a switch for selectively directinginformation received from said host computer to a second peripheraldevice or to said first peripheral device for processing, said hostcomputer storing operating programs for performing operations using saidhost computer and at least first and second peripheral driver programswhich when selected control said first and second peripheral devices,respectively, said program performing steps comprising: monitoring whichof the first and second peripheral driver programs is selected; sendingdata to the first peripheral device controlling the switch so thatinformation received from said host computer is directed to the firstperipheral device for processing when the first peripheral driverprogram is selected; and sending data to the first peripheral devicecontrolling the switch so that information received from said hostcomputer is directed to the second peripheral device for processing whenthe second peripheral driver program is selected.